Somaliland private mental health centres are accused of abuse

Unregulated and unmonitored mental health centres in Somaliland are accused of abusing residents.

Hargeisa- The situation of the
mental health centres in Somaliland is shocking, according to activists. Speaking
in condition of anonymity, a civil society member who was able to visit a private
mental health centre told Somaliland Daily that the people are beaten, abused
and ill-treated.

TheHuman
Rights WatchReport, title Chained and Locked Up in
Somaliland, says "men with
perceived or actual psychosocial disabilities face abusive restraints,
beatings, involuntary treatment, and overcrowding in private and public health
centers. Most are held against their will and have no possibility of
challenging their detention. In private centers in particular, those with
psychosocial disabilities face punitive and prolonged chaining, confinement,
seclusion, and severe restrictions on their movement”.

"These centers are largely unregulated and unmonitored by the government,”
says the report.

"Since Human Rights Watch report was published the managers of these
centres intensified their control and bar any outside access. The people with psychosocial
disabilities are held there without supervision and oversight. Even the government
institutions such as the Ministry of Health are unable to visit there,” says a
civil society member.